We are reasonably experienced cruisers. We've been through the Mexican Riviera and the Panama Canal twice, covered the Western and Eastern Caribbean, the Aegean Sea, Lake Nasser and the Nile River.

The Norwegian Spirit was by far our least favorite ship. The only thing free about Norwegian is the "style". Every time we turned around there was another charge for something. We certainly did not expect to pay extra for juice, water and soda. Beer and wine were way over-priced as were the mixed drinks.

As for food, the main dining rooms were reasonable but limited in choice. Norwegian used to be well known for their lobster offerings, but we only got a half a lobster tail on one occasion. If you wanted lobster any other time you would have to go to Cagney's, pay the cover charge of $25 each and $8 extra to add a 6oz lobster tail to your meal. All other "specialty" items were available in the restaurants for a $15 to $25 cover charge per person (plus adders for certain menu items). Specialty items on Norwegian are normal fare on all other lines with whom we've cruised. Forget the room service - the menu is abysmal and surprise, surprise, the pizza is $5 extra. Don't order room service after midnight, you'll pay a $3.95 surcharge. It's disgusting the way Norwegian have perfected the art of Nickel and Diming! Read more